Pokemon TCG Chaos Rising Release Date: May 22 Drop Times + Where to Buy
Updated: May 17, 2026
Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution — Chaos Rising officially releases worldwide on Friday, May 22, 2026. But the retailer drops don't all happen on May 22 — Walmart hits two days early, Target runs overnight windows, GameStop does a midnight in-store event, and Best Buy opens in-store. If you're trying to hit one at retail instead of paying $200 on eBay, here's the actual staggered drop schedule.
ETB MSRP is $69.99. Secondary market is currently $113–225 on TCGPlayer and eBay. Every retail hit is $40–155 saved per box.
The actual drop schedule:
- Walmart online — Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET. Walmart always drops Pokemon TCG on Wednesdays. For set releases, that means two days before official launch. Most people don't know this and miss it entirely.
- Target online — Thursday May 21 to Friday May 22, between 10:00 PM PST and 2:00 AM PST overnight. Target's recurring drop window.
- GameStop midnight release event — Thursday May 21 into Friday May 22 at midnight, in-store only. Heads up: GameStop sells at above-MSRP pricing on launches, not retail.
- Best Buy in-store — Friday, May 22 at store open. Select locations only. Best Buy does not drop new set releases online.
- Target in-store — Friday, May 22 at store open. Select locations only.
- Barnes & Noble in-store — Friday, May 22 at store open. Select locations only.
- Pokemon Center online — random throughout launch week. Rumored Chaos Rising ETB restock as bot orders refund and failed payments release stock back.
The Plugged Inn Discord runs auto-checkout (ACO) across every online retailer above plus an exclusive Best Buy in-store stock checker that shows real unit counts at each location. 500,000+ confirmed checkouts, including 1,158 confirmed Pokemon Center Chaos Rising preorders on the last drop.
Featured Mega ex cards in the set: Mega Greninja ex, Mega Pyroar ex, Mega Floette ex, Mega Dragalge ex. Pre-release events ran May 9–17 at local game stores. Full card list at Pokemon.com and Bulbapedia.
→ Join the Plugged Inn Discord
Where to Buy Chaos Rising (Drop Date + Time by Retailer)
| Retailer | Channel | Drop Date | Time | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Online | Wed, May 20 | 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET | MSRP |
| Target | Online | Thu May 21 – Fri May 22 | 10 PM PST – 2 AM PST window | MSRP |
| Target | In-store | Fri, May 22 | Store open | MSRP |
| Best Buy | In-store only | Fri, May 22 | Store open | MSRP |
| Barnes & Noble | In-store | Fri, May 22 | Store open | MSRP |
| GameStop | In-store midnight release | Thu May 21 → midnight | 12:00 AM Fri May 22 | Above MSRP |
| Pokemon Center | Online | Random throughout launch week | Variable | MSRP |
Walmart on May 20 is the biggest underrated window. Walmart drops Pokemon TCG every Wednesday at 6 PM PT, and for major set releases, that lands two days before official launch. If you've been refreshing Walmart on the 22nd, you missed it.
On GameStop: they run midnight in-store launch events but sell at premium pricing. You can get the product on day one if you're willing to overpay — most people aren't.
On Best Buy: for new set releases, Best Buy is in-store only. They don't run online drops for launches. You either show up to a store on May 22 or you miss the Best Buy allocation.
Most of the original Pokemon Center inventory was sold as pre-orders over a month ago. Restocks during launch week happen as refunded bot orders and failed payments release stock back into the public pool. The Plugged Inn Discord pings members the second any of this goes live.
In-Store on May 22
Three retailers put product on shelves at store open on Friday, May 22:
- Best Buy
- Target
- Barnes & Noble
Plus GameStop at midnight (above MSRP).
Not every location gets stock. The most common mistake on launch day is camping the wrong store. (Nothing humbles a drop hunter like waiting outside a Best Buy at 7 AM for product that's 40 miles away.)
The Plugged Inn Discord's Best Buy in-store stock checker pulls real-time unit counts from every Best Buy location, so you know which store actually has product before you commit to a drive. Only tool of its kind in the Pokemon TCG space.
Product Lineup + Pricing
| Product | MSRP | Secondary Market |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Trainer Box | $69.99 | $113–225 |
| Pokemon Center ETB (with Fennekin promo cards inside) | $89.99 | $200+ |
| Booster Display Box (36 packs) | $179.99 | $300+ |
| Booster Bundle (6 packs) | $26.99 | $50+ |
| Build & Battle Box | $24.99 | $40+ |
| Single Booster Pack | $4.49 | $10+ |
How to Actually Hit Chaos Rising at Retail
Three ways to play it:
Camp in-store on May 22. Pick a Best Buy, Target, or Barnes & Noble. Show up before doors unlock. You can only camp one store — if it didn't get allocation, you walk home empty. GameStop is an option at midnight but you pay above MSRP.
Refresh online manually. Walmart on Wednesday May 20 at 6 PM PT, Target Thursday/Friday overnight, Pokemon Center every day all week. Glued to a screen for days. Your eye doctor will eventually want a word.
Plugged Inn Discord with ACO + Best Buy stock checker. Auto-checkout runs simultaneously on Walmart, Target, Pokemon Center, and 495+ more retailers. Bots cop the drop the second it goes live online. The in-store tool tells you which Best Buy actually has product so you don't drive to the wrong one. 500,000+ confirmed checkouts.
30 minutes of setup vs. days of refreshing.
→ Join the Plugged Inn Discord before May 20
FAQ
What's the Pokemon TCG Chaos Rising release date? Official release is Friday, May 22, 2026. But retailer drops are staggered: Walmart on Wednesday May 20, Target Thursday/Friday overnight, GameStop midnight events, and Best Buy + Target + Barnes & Noble in-store at open on May 22.
What time does Walmart drop Chaos Rising? Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET. Walmart always drops Pokemon TCG on Wednesdays.
What time does Target drop Chaos Rising online? Typically Thursday May 21 to Friday May 22, between 10:00 PM PST and 2:00 AM PST overnight.
Does GameStop do a midnight release for Chaos Rising? Yes, GameStop runs midnight in-store launch events for major Pokemon TCG releases, including Chaos Rising. Pricing at GameStop is above MSRP — convenient for day-one access, not for best price.
Does Best Buy drop Chaos Rising online? No. Best Buy is in-store only for new set releases. Show up at a Best Buy location at store open on Friday, May 22.
Where can I buy Chaos Rising in-store on May 22? Best Buy, Target, and Barnes & Noble at store open. GameStop at midnight (above MSRP). Select locations only — not every store gets allocation.
How much is the Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box? $69.99 MSRP. $113–225 on the secondary market right now.
Will Pokemon Center restock Chaos Rising on launch week? Likely. Pokemon Center restocks around release day because refunded bot orders and failed payments release stock back into inventory. The Plugged Inn Discord pings members the second it goes live.
How do I know which Best Buy actually has stock? The Plugged Inn Discord's Best Buy in-store stock checker shows exact unit counts at every Best Buy location in real time.
Bottom Line
Chaos Rising's official release date is May 22, 2026 — but retailer drops are staggered. Walmart hits Wednesday, May 20 at 6 PM PT. Target runs overnight Thursday/Friday. GameStop opens midnight (above MSRP). Best Buy, Target, and Barnes & Noble open in-store on Friday, May 22. Pokemon Center restocks throughout the week.
The Plugged Inn Discord runs ACO across every online retailer plus the only Best Buy in-store stock checker in the Pokemon TCG space. 500,000+ confirmed checkouts. Members will be unboxing Chaos Rising on May 20 — while everyone else is still waiting for the 22nd.